Today we’d like to introduce you to Khalia Rutledge.
Hi Khalia, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Let’s see! As a small child back in Ohio I remember driving through luxury neighborhoods with my parents and attending open houses. I was always intrigued with houses. So, Khalia Nicole- Living In Harmony Real Estate all started really brewing a few years ago. Back in late 2018 my husband and I embarked on our first-time homebuyer journey. After going through MULTIPLE Realtors and Lenders who just didn’t have the time to nurture us, we were going to give up! We needed some clear instructions and our situation was not the perfect scenario that I feel like the world feeds you. We were young and raising a family. We just knew if we had a home our family would be more comfortable and we would gain a great asset. We were young and didn’t really know where to start. If you didn’t have a pre-approval they would say ‘get that and then call me!’ Being in the banking industry I knew how to get a pre-approval but we needed to do some work to get that. So, I figured it out myself; how to fix credit while sticking to a budget. We found the perfect Realtor who understood our need and had the resources to get us in our home. Fast forward, we closed on our home. However, I knew I could not just let that be the end of Real Estate for me. It was made up in my mind that I wanted to help others on this journey and be a great resource. I did not want others to feel like us, helpless, confused, lost, before meeting our realtor and lender. I knew I needed to do something to help others become homeowners and homeowners to understand their asset better.
I also knew I needed a career change that offered real flexibility for a wife, and mom of three children, now 9, 5, 2. I missed my children. I missed being able to pick them up from school. I couldn’t put them in activities because my husband and I were at work all day. I’m huge on family and making sure children have a healthy balance of school, extracurricular activities, and home time. Well, the pandemic took place in 2020 and I took the risk to walk away from my full-time career at Chase Bank. I was able to take the opportunity of a lifetime. I stepped out on faith. Becoming an entrepreneur really was not in the front of my mind, because I like safety, security, and knowing what’s next at all times! Haha! However, I turned in my two weeks notice and immediately started the journey to becoming a realtor ®. I passed my exam the first time around and dove into the business. Since joining my brokerage, eXp Realty I tapped into trainings and coaching. I tapped into a collaboration that wants to see their agents win. Therefore, I am able to not just sell a home, but educate my clients in this industry. I’m also building a team of like-minded agents who want to serve others! It’s more than just a deal for me, I want my clients to feel harmony, that calm, and balance, throughout the process of selling or buying. I want them to feel so sure about signing their contracts and so much joy because it’s an experience when working with me. My clients are not just a deal. They truly mean everything to me!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Whew! It has not been a smooth road. Haha! I started this during the pandemic with 3 kids home with 2 of them in virtual learning. The market is nothing like we’ve ever seen! So that was a bit crazy!
Let’s be honest real estate is not easy. Nothing worth having comes easy, so they say. You’re working with most people’s biggest decisions and investments, whether I’m dealing with commercial real estate or residential. Starting out in Real Estate you need to make sure you have the right training. Start the foundation off strong! You better make sure you’re disciplined and know how to manage your time! If not, you have to be willing to learn how! That’s the key to success and less stress! I value the people who have taken their time to answer my random questions, take hours out their day to make sure I’m equipped to serve my clients better. I’ve connected with an amazing coach Sherry Swift and The Swift Collaboration and Darrly Dibbs with The Resident Group. Having people cheer for you and able to collaborate is another key!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am YOUR Realtor®! I matchmake my buyers with their dream homes, and I get my sellers the best value from their investments. I help business owners, whether new or established, find the perfect location for their ventures. At the end of the day, I want all my clients to Live In Harmony.
I’m most proud of my perseverance and consistency. Building a business is a challenge, right. Stepping out of your comfort zone takes courage, strength, and much faith. I’m just honestly proud that I followed a dream; stopped talking about it and actually get up every day and do it!
I nurture my clients. I come up with tailored plans for homebuyers/sellers, and business owners. I listen to the need, and I act upon it. We’re dealing with a market that’s honestly crazy! We’re in different times so there’s different methods that need to be taken. I study, I train to sharpen my skills and learn new ones, and I implement. I use my skills from experience and resources. My clients win and I win!
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I love to connect with new people!
If you’re interested in buying or selling a home or business, you can send me a message on any platform, but I LOVE a phone call or a text!
If you would like to learn more about what I do, how I can help you in your Real Estate business, and collaborate with my team, let’s have a talk!
If you’re a business, I’m always looking to increase my connections to quality professionals to refer out as well!
If you want to support me. REFER ME! I truly LOVE referrals and my business has been mostly referrals. I thank each and every person who mentions my name, passes out cards, gives out my number, shares my promo, all of that, to others! It’s truly a blessing!
You can follow me on pretty much the major platforms!
Phone: 586-914-4971 (call or text)
Website: KhaliaRutledge.exprealty.com
Email: [email protected]
IG: KhaliaNicoleRealtor
Facebook: Khalia Nicole
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: khaliarutledge.exprealty.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/khalianicolerealtor/
- Facebook: facebook.com/KhaliaNicole.Realtor
